Gigi Reyes asked about 'missing' Enrile's kickbacks: witness

MANILA - A former property custodian of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles testified that Atty. Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes, former chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, once inquired about a supposed shortfall in the senator's pork barrel kickbacks.

Marina Sula told the court on Wednesday that she once helped Benhur Luy pack around 30 bundles of P1,000 and P500 bills in a box, supposedly delivered to Enrile. But after delivery, Ruby Tuason, the alleged bagman of Enrile, came to their office in Ortigas to complain about the money that was received.

According to Sula, Tuason told Napoles that Reyes protested that Enrile's alleged commissions was short by 500,000 pesos. Sula said she was present at that time with Napoles and Luy.

"Tumawag si Gigi, kulang ng P500,000, sabi ni Ms. Ruby," Sula recalled Tuason as saying to Napoles.

Sula added that she did not know who got the missing money from the senator's alleged pork barrel kickbacks. The total amount of money in the box was not mentioned during the hearing.

In response to an inquiry from the court, Sula said she identified Reyes as Enrile's chief of staff.

Sula, who was also appointed president of one of Napoles' fake organizations for farmers, said she saw Reyes' name on the endorsement letters they received from the office of Enrile.

The prosecution presented a letter allegedly from the office of Enrile signed by Reyes on April 16, 2007. However, no further inquiry was made on the letter after Atty. Anacleto Diaz, legal counsel of Reyes, protested that the document was not presented in the list [of documents] submitted by the prosecution.

Meanwhile, Reyes' lawyer repeatedly contested the merits of Sula's testimonies. Diaz insisted Sula has been presenting hearsay evidence.

"This witness does not have knowledge of transactions...The statement is not proof of truth," said Diaz.

"I don't trust this witness at all. She keeps on mentioning names of people she doesn't personally know."

But state prosecutors argued that Sula is a competent witness for the case.

"She saw Ruby Tuason collect commissions for Senator Enrile...that is not hearsay, your honor," said Prosecutor Jennifer Agustin-Se.

The anti-graft court allowed Sula to continue her testimony. Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said Sula's testimonies will still be assessed.

"The court takes [this] note on the witness... Let us hear the witness. Let the court decide in time as to the value of the witness," said Cabotaje-Tang.

Napoles and Reyes are currently being tried for plunder over their alleged involvement in Senator Juan Ponce Enrile's alleged P172 million kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).